Welding torch



Nov. 17, 1931.

A. J. FAUSEK ET AL WELDING TORCH Filed June 17, 1929 S mm. mv

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Patented Nov. 17, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ARTHUR J. FAUSEK ANDIRWING F. FAUSEK, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI WELDING TORCH Application led.Tune 17, 1929. Serial No. 371,311.

This invention relates generally to torches of the type employed forutilizing oxygenacetylene and other gases as a flame producing mediumfor welding metals, and more specifically to an improved apparatus ofthis type which includes as a part thereof a mixer of improvedconstruction which functions with greater eliciency than did the mixersformerly employed in welding torches, the predominant object of theinvention being to provide a welding vtorch with improved gas mixingmeans whereby the gases which are commingled to produce the combustiblemixture may be readily and completely admixed at the mixer of the torch.

Another object of the invention is to provide a welding torch with amixer shell which is so construct-ed that torch attachments of differenttypes may be associated with said mixer shell.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary View, partly in side elevation and partly inlongitudinal section, showing our improved welding torch.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section of the portion of the torchillustrated in Figure 1 adjacent to the discharge end of the mixer.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the forward endportion of the mixer shell showing one type of torch attachment inassociation therewith.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure '3 but:

showing another torch attachment associated with the mixer shell.

Figure 5 illustrates a modified form of the invention.

Figure 6 illustrates a detail of the gasket structure of the torch.

In the drawings, wherein is shown for the purpose of illustration merelyone embodiment of the invention, A designates our improved welding torchwhich comprises a handle portion B, a mixer shell C and a forward tube Dto which a nozzle E is attached in the usual manner. The handle portionB includes a handle head 1 which is located at the forward end of saidhandle portion. Gas tubes F and G are extended longitudinally the torchand constitutes the handle of the torch. The handle head 1 is providedwith recesses into which the forward end portions of the gas tubes F andG extend and in which said tubes are securely fixed, and said handlehead is externally screwthreaded as indicated at 3. 4 designates aninternally screwthreaded ring'which is screwed on the externallyscrewthreaded portion 3 of the handle head 1, said ring being arrangedto abut against the forward end of the sleeve 2 for the purpose ofmaintaining said sleeve 1n place.

Formed in the approximate center of the handle head 1 is a space 5 whichcommunicates with a screwthreaded opening 6, said screwthreaded openingbeing in turn arranged in communication with the tube F by a passageway7. Also the tube G is arranged in communication with the space 5 by agas passageway 8.

Forwardly of the space 5 the handle head 1 is provided with a centrallydisposed opening 9 and forwardly of this opening 9 the handle head isprovided with a raised seat 10. The seat 10 is located at the inner endof a tubular portion 11 of the handle head which is extendedlongitudinally of the torch and forwardly from the main body portion ofthe handle head l. The tubular portion 11 1s provided with externalscrewthreads 11 for a portion of its length as shown in Figure 1.

12 designates a member (Figure 1) which `is disposed within the handlehead 1, said member having a screwthreaded end portion 12 which isscrewed into the screwthreaded opening 6 within the handle head. Themember 12 is provided with a passageway 13 ex tended longitudinallytherethrough-anelfsaid member is provided with a flange 14 adapted tocontact with a wall of the space 5 whereby movement of the member 12rearwardly with respect to the handle head 1 is limited. At its forwardend thel member 12 is of enlarged diameter and the passageway 13 throughsaid member is likewise enlarged within the enlarged end portion of thememthe reference character 15. The enlarged end portion of the member 12is provided with radial ribs 16 which extend outwardly from the outerface of said enlarged end portion, the outer ends of said radial ribsbeing `arranged in contact with the wall of the space 9. Because ofthisarrangement the spaces between the radial ribs 16 are constitutedgas passageways the inner and outer walls of which are the wall of theopening '9 within the handle head and the outer surface of the enlargedportion of the member 12 respectively. The forward end of themem-cforward end of the head portion 31 of the C ber 12 tapers slightlyas shown in Figure 1 and the extreme outer edge of said tapered portionprovides a seat 17 which is alined transversely ofthe torch with theseat 1.0 already referred to.

The mixer shell C of the torch illustrated in Figure 1 is of greaterdiameter at the rear end portion of said mixer shell than at the frontportion thereof, and said rear portion of said mixer shell is providedwith an enlarged recess 18 which is provided with screwthreads 19. Atthe forward end of the recess 18 the diameter of the opening tapers to arelatively small passageway. 2() which is extended longitudinallythrough a portion of the mixer shell. Forwardly of the passageway 20 theopening through the mixer shell C tapers to a larger diameter asindicated at 21 in Figure 1 and this tapered portion of the openingcommunicates with a screwthreaded recess 22 formed in the enlargedforward portion 23 of the mixer shell. The enlarged forward portion 23of the mixer shell is provided at its inner end with a tapered seat 24and at its outer end the recess 22 is provided with a second taperedseat 25.

The tapered seats 24 and 25 are employed to permit of gas tubes ofdifferent types being associated with the mixer shell C; that is to saya tube D such as that illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 may be associatedwith the mixer shell and when this type of tube is employed thescrewthreaded end portion of said tube is screwed into the screwthreadedrecess 22 within the enlarged end portion 23 of the mixer shell untilthe tapered face 26 at the extreme end of the tube D contacts with thetapered seat 2-4 at the inner end of the recess 22. Such contact betweenthe tapered face 26 and the tapered seat 24 will provide a fluid tightjoint between the tube D and the mixer shell C. Also instead of a tubesuch as that illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 we may associate a tube suchas the tube D illustrated in Figure 4. This tube is provided with a flatface 27 at the extreme end thereof and said tube is provided with anenlarged portion 28 having a tapered annular face 29. The screwthreadedend portion of the tube D is screwed into the screwthreaded recess 22 inthe enlarged end portion of the mixer shell until a fluid-ti ht joint isobtained between the tube and t e mixer shell by the annular taperedface 29 on the tube contacting with the tapered seat at the outer end ofthe recess 22.

Screwed into the enlarged recess 18 at the rearmost end of the mixershell C is the mixer M of the torch A, said mixer comprisino' a bodyportion 30 and a head portion 31. e mixer M is provided with a gaspassageway 32 which extends longitudinally therethrough from end to endthereof and at the mixer the passageway 32 tapers to a relatively smallorice 33. The body portion of the mixer is provided with externalscrewthreads which engage the screwthreads within the recess 18 and alsosaid body por- I tion is provided with a shoulder 34 which abuts againstthe rearmost end of the mixer shell. At the end of the mixer opposite tothe end thereof at which the'head portion 31 is located said mixer isprovided with an extension 35 which extends into the opening 15 at theforward end of the member 12, and at the rearmost end of thebody portion30 of the mixer said mixer is provided with a gasket 36 and a gasketshell 37 formed of suitable soft metal, which gasket shell encloses andprotects the gasket 36. 38 designates a plurality of gas passagewayswhich pass through the body portion of the mixer and through the gasketand asket shell, said passageways being extende longitudinally of themixer and communicating at their rearmost ends with the spaces betweenthe radial ribs 16 on the member 12.

At the inner end of the head portion 31 of the mixer, said mixer isprovided with an annular groove 38, the forward wall 39 of which isinclined as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Also the outer face of thehead portion 31 of the mixer M is spaced from the wall of the recess 18to provide an annular gas passageway 40 which communicates with theannular groove 38, and the tapered outer surface 41 of the forwardportion of the head portion 31 is spaced from the wall of the openingthrough the mixer shell C to provide an annular gas passageway 42 whichcommunicates with the gas passageway 40 and the opening 20 through themixer shell. It will be noted that the annular gas passageway 42 is ofconstant width until same approaches the forward end of the mixer wheresaid gas passageway is increased slightly in width as at 43. Thisincreased width of the gas passageway 42 serves an important functionwhich will be hereinafter set forth.

44 designates a nut which serves as the means for attaching the mixershell C to the handle head 1, said nut having a tubular forward portion45 which encircles the mixer shell and an internally screwthreadedportion 46 which is adapted to be screwed on the externallyscrewthreaded tubular portion 11 of the handle head l to draw the gasketshell 37 into close contact with the seats 10 and 17. The nut 44 isprovided with a shoulder 47 which engages a shoulder 48 on the mixershell, and a ring 49 associated with the mixer shell abuts against theforward cnd of said nut.

In the use of our improved welding torch gas, oxygen for instance, underlow pressure passes through the tube F and passageway 7 into the opening13 'within the member 12 and from said opening 13 to the passageway 32formed through the mixer M, said gas being ejected forcibly from therestricted orifice 33 at the forward end of the mixer. The forcibledischarge of gas from the orifice 33 will serve to draw the other gas,acetylene for instance, which is combined with the oxygen to produce acombustible mixture 'from the tube G, through the passageway 8, space 5,the spaces between the radial ribs 16, and

' aassagewavs 38 into the annular groove 3S and through the passageways40 and 42 to the discharge end of the mixer M where the oxygen andacetylene is thoroughly mixed to produce a combustible mixture.

It will be noted that all of the faces at the head portion 31 of themixer which are encountered by the acetylene on its way to the dischargeof the mixer are inclined in the direction of flow of the acetylene. Inother words, no abutments are present in the path of travel of theacetylene which would interfere with the free flow of said acetylene.This is an important feature of the invention as acetylene has viscositywhich causes it to adhere to' walls of passageways through which itpasses, hence by providing a mixer which is free from all obstructionswhich would tend to interfere with the free movement of the acetylene amore eflicient torch is provided. Also because of the greater width ofthe passageway 42 as indicated at the point designated by the referencecharacter 43 a sufficient volume of acetylene is provided at the pointwhere the mixing of the gases takes place. It will be noted also thatthere are no sharp corners on the surface of the head portion of themixer or on the adjacent wall of the opening formed through the mixershell, these surfaces being provided with graceful curves which willinduce free movement of the acetylene in contact therewith.

In the forni of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, therearmost wall of the annular groove 38 is arranged at an approximateright angle to the axis of the mixer. In the form of the invention shownin Figure 5, however, the rear wall 50 of the annular groove 3S isapproximately parallel with the inclined forward wall `of said annulargroove. i

It has been found in the actual use of our improved torch that thelength of the passageways 4t2-i3 preventsback-ring of the torch, saidlength of said )assageways preventing the formation of eddy currentswhich if produced would result in back-firing of the torch. Also toprevent back-firing of the torch the width of the passageways Ll2--el3must be proportionate to the length of said pasageways.

In Figure 6 we illustrate our improved gasket structure in which `Viewthe apertures 36 formed through the gasket 36 and gasket shell 37 areclearly shown. In the assembled torch these apertures register with thegas passageways 38 formed through the mixer M and to prevent burning outof the gaskets 36 at the walls of the apertures 36 we turn portions 37of the metal of which the shell 37 is formed inwardly as shown in Figure6 so as to provide linings for the apertures 36. In this manner metallinings for the apertures 36 are provided at practically no increase inthe cost of production of the gaskets as the holes through the gasketshell would have to be cut anyway, and the only additional laborinvolved is in turning the metal inwardly into the apertures 36 insteadof entirely removing said metal from the gasket shell.

We claim: f

1. In an apparatus of the class described a handle portion, a gas tubehaving a nozzle associated therewith, a mixer shell interposed betweensaid handle portion and said gas tube, and a mixer supported within saidmixer shell, said mixer shell being provided with an opening formedlongitudinally therethrough and said mixer having a head portion theouter surface of which is spaced from the wall of said opening throughthe mixer shell to provide a gas passageway, the junctions between allportions of said passageway which are disposed at angles with respect toeach other being in the form of curves, and said passageway beingprovided with a tapered portion to produce a portion of increased widthadjacent to the discharge end of the mixer shell.

In an apparatus of the class described a handle portion, a gas tubehaving a nozzle associated therewith, a mixer shell interposed betweensaid handle portion and said gas tube, a mixersupported within saidmixer shell, said mixer shell being provided with an opening formedlongitudinally therethrough and said mixer having a head portion theouter surfaces of which is spaced from the wall of said opening throughthe mixer shell to provide a gas passageway, said mixer being providedwith an annular groove at the inner end of the head portion thereof intowhich CTI gas ports for-.ned in the mixer lead, `and an inclined face ata wall of said groove.

3. In an apparatus of the class described a handle portion, a gas tubehaving a nozzle associated therewith, a mixer shell interposed betweensaid handle portion and said gas tube, a mixer supported within saidmixer shell, said mixer shell being provided with an opening formedlongitudinally. therethrough and said mixerhaving a head portion theouter surface of which is spaced from the wall of said opening throughthe mixer shell to provide a gas passageway, said mixer being providedwith an annular groove at the inner end of the head portion thereof intowhich gas ports formed in the mixer lead, and an inclined face at a wallof said groove against which gas is directed by said gas ports.

4. In an apparatus of the class described a handle portion, a gas tubehaving a nozzle associated therewith, a mixer shell interposed betweensaid handle portion and said gas tube, a mixer supported within saidmixer shell, said mixer shell being provided with an opening formedlongitudinally therethrough and said mixer having a head portion theouter surface of which is spaced from the wall of said opening throughthe mixer shell to provide a gas passageway, the junctions between allportions of said passageway which are disposed at angles with respect toeach other being in the form of curves, said mixer being provided withan annular groove at the inner end of the head portion thereof intowhich gas ports formed in the mixer lead, and an inclined face at a wallof said groove against which gas is directed by said gas ports.

5. In an apparatus of the class described a handle portion, a gas tube,a nozzle associated with said gas tube, and a mixer shell interposedbetween said gas tube and saidhandle portion, said mixer shell beingprovided with a screwthreaded recess at one end thereof, and tapered,annular seats at the opposite ends of said recess with whichcorrespondingly shaped faces on gas tubes are caused to contact toprovide fluid-tight joints between said gas tubes and said mixer shell.

6. In an apparatus of the class described a handle portion, a gas tubehaving a nozzle associated therewith, a mixershell interposed betweensaid handle portion and said gas tube, said mixer shell being providedwith an `enlarged portion at one end thereof within which ascrewthreaded recess is formed, tapered, annular seats at the oppositeends of said recess with which correspondingly shaped faces on gas tubesare caused to contact to provide fluid-tight joints between said gastubes and said mixer shell and an annular depression formed in the wallsurrounding said screwthreaded recess adjacent to one of said tapered,annular seats.

7 A torch including a mixer having a plurality of gas plassagewaysformed therethrough, a torc portion with which said mixer cooperates, agasket interposed between said mixer and said torch portion, and agasket shell arranged in contact with one ace and the edge only of saidgasket in a manner to protect same, said gasket and said gasket shellbeing provided with re istering apertures which are alined with saiplural- 1ty of gas passageways formed in said mixer and materlal ofwhich said gasket shell is formed bein turned inwardly into theapertures forme through the gasket a portion of the depth only thereofto provide llnings for said ipertures formed through said gasket.

8. torch including a mixer having a piurality of gas passageways formedtherethrough, a torch portion with which said mixer cooperates, a gasketinterposed between said mixer and said torch portion, and a metal gasketshell arranged in contact with one face and the edge only of said gasketin a manner to protect same, said gasket and said gasket shell beingprovided with registering apertures which are alined with said pluralityof gas passageways formed in said mixer and material of which saidgasket shell is formed being turned inwardly into the apertures formedthrough the gasket a portion of the depth only thereof to provide linins for said aperture formed through said gas et.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands.

ARTHUR J. FAUSEK. IRWING F. FAUSEK.

